Oil & Filter Change on GL 1800

[rogerm60]

I may be rehashing an old thread, so apologies if so, but just curious with how many Goldwing owners have waited the suggested 4K miles before doing an oil change. I just returned from Colorado, and putting 3K miles on my 2015 GL 1800. Being an old Harley owner (still have a street glide) it's very unusual going this long without the initial oil & filter change. Comments solicited and welcomed.

[Gold Rush]

I may be rehashing an old thread, so apologies if so, but just curious with how many Goldwing owners have waited the suggested 4K miles before doing an oil change. I just returned from Colorado, and putting 3K miles on my 2015 GL 1800. Being an old Harley owner (still have a street glide) it's very unusual going this long without the initial oil & filter change. Comments solicited and welcomed.

Howdy Roger. Honda says do the first oil change at 4000 miles or 1 month then every 8000 miles after that.

If you want to go ahead and change now then by all means do it. If you are planning on going to synthetic oil I'd wait a bit longer. Using dino oil that's a stretch in my opinion. My recommendation is to wait until you have another thousand on then switch to what ever synthetic you prefer. I have used AMSOIL in nearly 200,000 miles on GL1800s now and really like it. I believe the cost is worth the improved shifter smoothness.

I am an AMSOIL preferred customer so I get the oil at dealer cost which helps.

Also I go 10,000 miles between oil and filter change so in the end it probably averages out.

[skuuter]

Having owned several GL1800s, I always do the 4000 on the first one, and thereafter. Remember, the Honda runs much cooler than the Harleys. I just can't stand the "8000 Mile Thing". I always run Honda "Semi-Synthetic" 10w-40 Oil.....

[JaysGone]

Im lazy. Last change was at 10K..........But I do change the filter at 5K and top off with AimsOil 10w-40.
So as far as Im concerned no harm?? Maybe a little foul. It is AimsOil after all.

[DWATC]

I put 115K on an '09 bike and have 33K on my Hannigan and normally change it someplace north of 6K but take it out at 8K and never had a problem. I figure if the Honda engineers say 8K and the warranty is still good then they have at least a 10% fuge factor built it.

[FRR]

I've been riding these things for 50 yrs and have found that most of us, me included, changed oil WAY too often and wasted a lot of money. I used to change my Harley at 3500. How silly was that? I changed oil on my Wings at 5K....Not needed. In all those years of riding I've never encountered anyone who claimed their engine went bad because of lack of oil or oil changes. Never.

Everyone has the right to spend their money as they see fit, but I'm going to go about 7k or a little more on my Wing and not worry a bit about it. I've never spent a dime on synthetic because no one ever demonstrated that it was worth the extra big bucks. Piece of mind maybe, but for what? There is a reason that auto, motorcycle, truck, and tractor manufacturers recommend certain change intervals. I'll go with them.

[jredman]

I am one of those that do it at 3000 miles. Just gives me a piece of mind knowing I have clean oil. I do it myself and use full synthetic. I know mine runs quieter and shifts smoother and I get better mileage with synthetic oil.

I can do my own oil changes for about $25 with Synthetic oil and filter. Just makes me feel good, I am sure I can go longer between changes. I my stretch it to 4000 miles if shifting does not get clunky. I have used Rotella T6 and Mobile 1. I think Rotella shifts a bit smoother.

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

I have been changing my oil/filter every 4,000 since new.
When we go on a long trip, I change them before the trip and when we get back.
I used Rotella T6 since new but changed last year to Mobil 1 Synt MC Oil.
To me the Mobil 1 shifts smoother then Rotella T1.

[skuuter]

"Shifting" is my pet issue about the 8000 mile change. I know the oil, and engine internals are not suffering at that point, "but", I have always been able to tell a slight harshness in shifts on the GL1800s after about 5000 miles between changes...sometimes "false 2nd gear misses" show up also. Still personally like the 4000 mile changes...Everyone has Their own opinion(s), and as long as Factory Suggestions aren't exceeded, all is well.....

[JaysGone]

I've been riding these things for 50 yrs and have found that most of us, me included, changed oil WAY too often and wasted a lot of money. I used to change my Harley at 3500. How silly was that? I changed oil on my Wings at 5K....Not needed. In all those years of riding I've never encountered anyone who claimed their engine went bad because of lack of oil or oil changes. Never.

Everyone has the right to spend their money as they see fit, but I'm going to go about 7k or a little more on my Wing and not worry a bit about it. I've never spent a dime on synthetic because no one ever demonstrated that it was worth the extra big bucks. Piece of mind maybe, but for what? There is a reason that auto, motorcycle, truck, and tractor manufacturers recommend certain change intervals. I'll go with them.

If ever Ive seen a post I agree with.

Most folks are brainwashed about oils and oil changing.

[Shimpy]

I always run Honda "Semi-Synthetic" 10w-40 Oil.....

I've always wondered what "semi-synthetic" means. Most assume it means half dino and half synthetic, but it could also be just one jigger of synthetic to a quart of dino oil.

[FRR]

If ever Ive seen a post I agree with.
Most folks are brainwashed about oils and oil changing.

Thank you Jay.